Starz's future remains uncertain

Family of injured toddler files lawsuit.

Family of injured toddler files lawsuit.

October 27, 2006|PABLO ROS Tribune Staff Writer

GRANGER -- Not only did a state agency deny Starz Academy a settlement agreement for the renewal of its operational license Thursday, but the family of a toddler who was injured there in April recently filed a lawsuit against the day-care center. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration declined Thursday to enter into a settlement agreement with Starz Academy, which may lose its operational license pending an administrative hearing, said spokesman Dennis Rosebrough. The future hearing, which will determine whether the day care's license is renewed or revoked, has not yet been scheduled, he said. Until then, Starz Academy may continue to operate, he said. During an informal meeting in Indianapolis on Oct. 16, Starz Academy discussed with the FSSA the instances that have allowed the FSSA to challenge the center's operational license, said Starz lawyer Jim Masters. Those include an April incident in which a toddler was injured in the parking lot and an incident in July in which a medicine dropper was incorrectly used to administer medicine to another child. Masters said Starz explained to the FSSA what changes have been made in day-care policy as a result of those incidents, and had hoped to receive a settlement proposal from the FSSA. Now that such a proposal has been denied, Masters said, he plans to "vigorously resist" any attempts to finally revoke the day-care's license during the upcoming hearing. Meanwhile, the parents of Reid Haney, a toddler who was trapped in the window of a vehicle in the center's parking lot after he wandered away from a play area and suffered serious injuries, filed suit against Starz on Oct. 19. According to St. Joseph County court records, Jennifer and Brad Haney are charging the day-care center with negligently causing Reid's injuries, including failure to adequately supervise him and provide adequate safeguards to prevent him from wandering into the parking lot. The Haneys are demanding full compensation from Starz for their son's physical and mental suffering, past and future medical bills, and for their own mental suffering and emotional distress, according to court records. Neither the Haneys nor their lawyer returned calls for comment. Staff Writer Jeff Parrott contributed to this report. Staff writer Pablo Ros: pros@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6555